Holloman Lake (Public Access) — Hotel in Four Corners States

This looks like a great spot for a nice lake view if you are self- contained in a van or RV. I, however, had a tent and came in on a super windy day - between the wind itself, the immense amount of sand that it was kicking up, and the fishy smell of the lake that was whirling around, I ended up unable to stay here. I opted for Dog Canyon, where the wind was also bad but there was definitely a noticeable improvement in the intensity vs. being right on the lake, if that matters to you. I also felt like I had a lot more privacy at Dog Canyon, as Holloman Lake is more of a large sandy beach area where you can see other vehicles pretty clearly (not much shrubbery for privacy). And seriously, the toxic lake freaked me out a bit - you can tell it's not a healthy color and it just smelled so fishy. Maybe could be a good option if the wind...

This spot is only about 4 miles from the entrance to White Sands National Park and 100% free. If you have a large motorhome or you tow, take care coming in because the gate is a little narrow. But I did see people bring in large motorhomes and even 5th wheels and big Airstreams. There is some road noise, but nothing disruptive. I was parked right on the edge of the "lake" and didn't notice any smells, even when the wind came in and stirred it up. The people who tend to camp here are quiet and friendly, but some have zero respect for personal space. My friends and I were parked on opposite ends and we both had people pull in and park right next to us (about 10 feet away), despite there being plenty of open lots. I really don't understand why...

This is a no-frills free boondocking spot that HAFB allows the public to use. It is very convenient to White Sands National Park - about 5 minutes from the entrance. The night we visited, it was crowded but quiet overnight. It isn't pretty, but sunsets can be nice over the water as they were during our visit. There is, of course, jet noise during the day. The maze of roads is of packed gypsum. Most are friendly to any vehicle, but a few routes are rutted and will make top heavy vehicles like mine nervous. Pro tip: while not visible until you are on top of it, the road does cross the feeder gulch to the left of the gate at the far end of the park, giving you additional space...